The Christmas Miracle

The kids and I met up with my friend Lori and her kids today for a fun day. We went to the Bass Pro Shop here in Independence to see Santa! The kids were so excited and Lori and I were looking forward to it, although, we both agreed we would probably walk out of there today wondering "What were we thinking"? Well, the good news is that we walked out of there not thinking that at all! We were so proud of all 8 of the kids - they were so good!

Now, for my Christmas Miracle - I can never get a good picture of all five of the kids at once. In every picture, there is always one that is making a funny face, not cooperating or something. When we arrived at the Bass Pro Shop today, right inside the door is this huge fireplace and they had a Christmas tree decorated next to it. Lori and I decided to take advantage of this scene and take a picture of the kids. The Walker kids went first and did a great job and now for the Bass kids - I'm not kidding you - I have never had a photo go so well as this picture and this is the first picture I took of them!

From left to right: Peyton, Hunter, Aubrey, Zach and Tanner


Maybe they cooperated so well because they knew we were getting ready to go visit Santa. I don't know, but whatever it was - it worked and I couldn't be happier!

It was pretty funny when Lori and I got off the elevator going down to where Santa was located, we stepped off the elevator - there was a line, Zach, Josh and Lily Walker, Zach, Hunter, Peyton Bass, Lori, then I was pushing the stroller with Aubrey & Tanner. This couple was standing there and their eyes got big, they looked at each other and I heard one say to the other, OH MY GOSH! The kids were very well behaved and everything was under control, guess they thought it was a lot of kids for two adults.

The line to see Santa was long and we were not sure we would wait, but we decided to give it a try and it went rather fast. We got our turn to see Santa and here is our picture - not quite as good as the family picture, but classic!

Zachary is trying to hold Tanner, who is crying and trying to get down. Aubrey had her fingers in her face and finally removed them, as we kept calling her name to move them - but had this "off" look on her face, Peyton is watching Aubrey or Tanner, not sure - and Hunter is actually looking forward. It might not be the perfect picture with Santa, but that's okay - this is what memories are made of.

I recommend the Bass Pro shop to visit Santa, I would have never thought about it before, until a friend of mine at work mentioned they had a display out there. There was quite a bit for the kids to do and the photos with Santa were FREE! You can't beat that for an afternoon or evening of free entertainment for the kids.

I posted some new pictures out on Flickr from today's event.

Until next time...

Dawn